Canon 24-70 f/4L IS - macro mode any good?

[jd7]

To all those who have experience with the 24-70 F/4L's macro mode - do you find it's useful or is it just a gimmick? From what I've read the working distance is really short - about 3 cm!! That's going to pretty much rule out using it for insects and anything else which can run/fly away (not to mention sting or bite you!), but what about for things which can't/don't run away? Is the macro mode useful in practice for those things, or is the working distance so short you end up blocking all the light or running into other problems?

I quite like the idea of the 24-70 F/4L as a relatively light travel and hiking lens, but it's certainly not cheap. If it doubles as a decent macro lens too though (even though it's only 0.7 magnification), it might be the thing which makes me take the plunge (subject to selling my Sigma 24-70 2.8).

Thanks for any thoughts you can provide.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

The tests I read, showed that 24-70 F4 IS suffers from the problem of "shift focus". When closing the diaphragm, the focus shifts slightly. This makes it difficult to do macro shots with aperture between F4.5 and F11. However, in live view this problem does not happen.

 

[tat3406]

The macro mode is useful for my usage. This lens is my one lens solution for travel and hiking. The short MFD is a problem, it will block the light in some angle, but this is not huge problem, changing position will overcome this problem. Even my 100L also will block light if I use hood at some position. The IS is silent and effective than my 100L. If you need a decent zoom with close focus ability, this lens is the only choice in the market.

 

[jd7]

The tests I read, showed that 24-70 F4 IS suffers from the problem of "shift focus". When closing the diaphragm, the focus shifts slightly. This makes it difficult to do macro shots with aperture between F4.5 and F11. However, in live view this problem does not happen.

I've seen a few reviews saying that too. The Photozone review is one example, but I see it now has a note which raises the possibility they had a bad copy and it got repaired ... although it seems they didn't get to try it out after repair for themselves, so not sure what to make of it.

Also, is focus shift common with macro lenses? The one time I got to play with a 100L macro I didn't notice it ... but I'm sure I've read claims on the internet (must be true, right?!) that it's quite common. Maybe the out of focus shots I took with the 100L weren't my fault after all?!

Anyway, if it's not a problem if you use live view, that probably provides a work around for the sort of macro shots I expect I'd be taking. Doesn't sound ideal though.

 

[jd7]

The macro mode is useful for my usage. This lens is my one lens solution for travel and hiking. The short MFD is a problem, it will block the light in some angle, but this is not huge problem, changing position will overcome this problem. Even my 100L also will block light if I use hood at some position. The IS is silent and effective than my 100L. If you need a decent zoom with close focus ability, this lens is the only choice in the market.

Glad to hear you're finding it a good solution for travel and hiking! Sounds like your usage is similar to what I have in mind, so if you're finding the macro mode useful, it sounds like it would probably work well for me too. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I was thinking of getting one to use for product photography, I have the 100L, but I do not have a way to get wider shots when I need them. I also had the 90 TS-E which is a close focus lens, but the wider shots were a issue since I could not move back enough.

I do not understand why live view would have any affect on focus shift, unless one were stopping down to manually focus. Liveview focuses at full aperture and then stops down for the image.

I noticed that TDP also has quite a bit about the focus shift. I'll probably pass on it now that I've read those reviews. It is a expensive lens, and my primary use of close focus would be crippled.

 

[jd7]

I just don't know what to make of the focus shift issue. Looking around the internet, some people says it's a big problem, others say it's there but in practice it's not a big deal, and others say the lens is just fine ...

Anyway, I looked at one this evening and compared it to the Sigma 24-70 2.8 EX HSM which I currently own. The lenses are actually pretty close in size (the Sigma is a fraction longer and a bit fatter), and even the weight difference felt less noticeable than I'd expected. Hhhmmm.